Having introduced properly over 1,000 episodes from the much-live BBC Radio 4 collection, Melvyn Bragg has made the choice to step down from In Our Time – following the collection which aired earlier this yr. Melyvn has introduced each episode of In Our Time for the reason that collection first launched in 1998.
In Our Time is commonly one of many BBC’s most listened to on-demand programmes world wide, its attraction spanning generations. It’s one in every of BBC Sounds’ hottest broadcasts amongst below 35s.
During the last quarter of a century, Melvyn has skillfully led conversations about all the pieces from the age of the Universe to ‘Zenobia’, Queen of the Palmyrene Empire. He has welcomed the corporate of the brightest and greatest lecturers of their fields, sharing their ardour and information with a fascinated audiences proper across the globe.
Whereas he shall be a lot missed on In Our Time, Melvyn will proceed to be a buddy of Radio 4 with extra to come back to have fun his extraordinary profession, and a brand new collection in 2026 (particulars to be introduced quickly).
Melvyn Brag says “For a programme with an entirely deceptive title which began from scratch as a six-month contract, it’s been fairly a journey! I’ve labored with many extraordinarily proficient and useful folks contained in the BBC in addition to a number of the biggest lecturers world wide. It’s been an awesome privilege and pleasure. I stay up for persevering with to work for the BBC on Radio 4. Thanks for listening.”
Melyvn first joined the BBC in 1961 as a normal trainee. His BBC profession has spanned the World Service, a ten-year stint presenting Radio 4’s Begin of the Week from 1988 – 1998 in addition to quite a few arts and tradition programmes. He’s an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society and of The British Academy and was given a Peerage in 1998 and a Companion of Honour in 2017. Melvyn will proceed to work with the BBC on future initiatives that are but to be introduced.
Tim Davie, BBC Director Basic, says “Melvyn’s ardour for the humanities, his mental curiosity, and his unwavering dedication to public service broadcasting during the last 60-plus years have enriched the lives of tens of millions. By means of In Our Time on Radio 4 has introduced depth, perception, and humanity to our airwaves each single week for greater than 1 / 4 of a century. He leaves behind not simply a unprecedented physique of labor, however a gold commonplace of broadcasting and interviewing excellence that can encourage generations to come back.”
Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech and Controller of BBC Radio 4 says “Melvyn has been a part of the heartbeat of Radio 4 for over three a long time. His fierce mind, coupled with a beautiful curiosity and extraordinary ardour for information marks him out as one of many broadcasting greats. By means of we’ll miss him on In Our Time, he leaves behind a singular legacy: the treasure trove of over 1,000 archive episodes, that are a beautiful useful resource for all these with a love of studying. I stay up for working with him on new initiatives for Radio 4.”
To mark the top of an period, later this yr Radio 4 shall be airing a few of Melvyn’s most cherished episodes and there may even be a curated choice on BBC Sounds chosen by a few of In Our Time’s most notable followers.
In Our Time shall be again on Radio 4 with a brand new presenter who shall be introduced sooner or later.
